100 People Who Influenced China

Author: Zhang Xiuping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: In The 100 Most Influential People in China, the book lists emperors such as Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Wu Zetian, Emperor Taizu of Song, Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Genghis Khan, and Kangxi; thinkers like Laozi, Confucius, Mozi, Zhuangzi, and Xunzi; statesmen and generals such as the Duke of Zhou, Zhuge Liang, Bao Zheng, Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, Yue Fei, and Lin Zexu; renowned scientists, medical (pharmaceutical) figures like Bian Que, Zhang Heng, Cai Lun, Zhang Zhongjing, Zu Chongzhi, and Li Shizhen; historians, writers, artists, and travelers such as Qu Yuan, Sima Qian, Ban Gu, Wang Xizhi, Li Bai, Du Fu, Sima Guang, and Cao Xueqin; peasant uprising leaders like Chen Sheng, Xiang Yu, Huang Chao, Li Zicheng, and Hong Xiuquan; pioneers in ethnic relations and Sino-foreign exchanges such as Zhang Qian, Ban Chao, Xuanzang, Jianzhen, and Princess Wencheng; and military strategists like Sun Wu and Sun Bin.
"Humans are the subjects of social practice, and history is merely the activity of people pursuing their own goals." The 100 individuals listed in this book are either shaped by the tides of history or forged through adversity, but all played a role—great or small—in shaping China's history. This acknowledges the role of individuals in the development of Chinese history. Through vivid descriptions of their words, actions, and demeanor, historians fulfill their sacred duty of portraying their spirits, personalities, thoughts, temperaments, emotions, desires, and hobbies. The book focuses on depicting and narrating the most significant events in the lives of these figures that impacted Chinese history, blending historical analysis with storytelling (""), offering a fresh perspective. Readers may also rank these figures according to their own subjective criteria and personal preferences for evaluating historical figures.